Adapter for radiator air valves



June 12, 1928. 1,673,220

H. BEARD ADAPTER FOR RADIATOR AIR VALVES Filed March 7, 1927 I an Il v In venian Patented June 12, 1928.

UNITED STATES- :HAROLD BEARD, or soUTH PORTLAND, MAINE.

ADAPTER FOB RADIATOR AIRvVALVS.

Application filed March 7, 1927. Serial No. 173,446.

My invention relates, in general terms, to radiator air valves.

The primary object of my invention is to provide an attachment, or adapter as I term it, which can be conveniently placed' on any of the conventional type radiator air valves now generally used on radiators and which may serve, in connection with the thermostatic control largely employed in these valves, to seal the radiator against admittance of air thereto when the pressure `therein is about to reduce to that below the atmosphere. Specifically, the object of my invention is to provided means to retain the vapor, in which there still remains a considerable amount of heat, within the radiator after the boiler or gauge pressure has become neg,- ligible.

And another object sought, whereby I may accomplished this thing, is to provide an improved vacuum valve as an element in my adapter.

I have illustrated my invent-ion in the accompanying drawing in which,-

Fig. l is an elevation of an ordinary radiator air valve with a 'sectional view ot my adapter in its simplest form; l `Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevation oit va radiator air valve with my adapter of preterred form shown in section:

Fig. 3 and Fig. 6 illustrate different positions of the parts when the device is operating under differing conditions;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the vacuum valve' seat,` and 5 is an inverted plan of the vacuum disc valve.

Like parts are represented by similar characters of reference throughout all the Vditferent views of the drawing.

Referring to Fig. l, 1 represents an ordinary radiator air valve having a threaded nipple 2 for the purpose of attaching to -a radiator. In order to comprehensively connect the operationof my adapter with that oit the air valve certain features pertaining to the construction and actuation ot these valves will be explained.

In the several views the upper end of the air valve casing is broken away, disclosing the end of the thermostatically controlled valve spindle 3 which is subject to vertical movement within the casing. The upward movement of this spindle begins shortly after the cold air has been expelled from the casing of the valve by the on-coming steam and the latter acts on the thermostat to automatically raise the spindle and prevent further egress of steam from the radiator.

Upon the steam pressure in the heating system reducing to below that of the atmosphere the consequent cooling oi the thermostatic device (not shown in the drawing) lwill allow the air valve spindle 3 to fall from its seat, permitting air from the outside to enter the radiator, through the air valve,`

with the result that a rapid cooling of the radiator takes place.

The action just described applies to the operation of the air valve when used alone, or without my adapter installed thereon.

In Fig. l I show a simple to-rm of my vacuum valve adapter designed for use in connection withl any thermo-operated radiator air valve and by-which it is possible to prevent air entering the radiator when the pressure therein has fallen to below' that of the-atmosphere.

4 Vis an inverted cup-shaped member, the head 4 having a ventingk hole 5 therein. The cylindrical portion is made to tit tightly over the body portion l oft the vair valve casing. VForced into the upper end ofthe cylinder l is ay flanged disc '6, having therein a hole 6 and on its upper side a raised ring portion 7 extending vconcentrically around the disc,-th is ring constituting a valve seat upon `which the thin disc 8 lightly rests and serves as a vacuum valve.

In Figs. 2, 3 and 6 I illustrate a preferable orm of adapt-er and vacuum valve.

As the device is intended4 for use'as an attachment for radiator valves already installed, land as the bodies of the valves are liable to vary somewhat in diameter, I provide considerable clearance between the walls of the adapter and the casing and insert within the recesses 9 any proper resilient packing element 10. This makes allowance for varying sizes of radiator valve casings, and insures' an air tight joint between the parts.

rlhe body of the adapter 4l may be made' as an open-ended cylinder, as shown, with the flanged disc 6 forced into the'upper end with a press lit so as to be air tight; This disc, 6, has on its upper side two raised portions 11 disposed concentrically with the outside circumference of the disc and each other,-these raised portions forming together a channel or groove l2 within which loo operates the cylindricalportion 13 depending from the valve disc Sr-the latter resting lightly on the tops of the act as valve seats. l

Detachably fitting the top of the body 4 is a cover 14 having therein a vent hole" 15.

portions `11 which In operation, the pressure of steam. 'roiijif the boiler iirst clears the radiator valve 1 oit' air, which, together with a certain quantity off steam` vand vapor escapes through thevent 15, the'disc valve `8 lifting slightly to allow of thief-fas ,shown` in Fig. Just subsequentl to the entrance steaminto the vradiator valve fl, the spindle, through the action ot' the thermo .device will rise and close the steanrfroni vthe ialve It will remain closed so rlong as thel 1adiator `valve is hot, but immediately upon Vthe boiler pressure dropping soas kto suiliciently cool the valve will fall from its seat inthe Itis at thisl point that the vacuum valve iunctions, Jior the lowering boiler4 pressure will soon cause `a partial vacuunrto form in the heating lines and radiators, and the vacuum .valve 8` will seat,` preventing entrance of air into the Vsystem which would causetlie vacuum to 4be broken. Thus held in the radiators, dthevaporwill c ontinuetoA give oli1 heat until it is itself condensed,

forming a `more complete Ivacuum which draws "further steam or vapor from the boiler. j Y v l y In the form of seat as'shownin Fig. 1 it is obvious that a superior degree of excellence in the workmanship of the parts must be maintained to insure a tight' itting valve and. one which will prevent lthe suction of air; therethrough.

In Figs. 2, 3 and 6 l illustrate a type or f Ydesign ot' valve which veliminates y this trouble; As vpreviously stated, when the boiler pressureis raised and airis expelled out of the radiator `valve,"steam and some! times water isl 'forced out also. The steam within the upper portion oi; the valve chain- Vber will condense afterthe spindlev valve 1 `closes and provide more water to Vlill the groove 12, or at least cover. the bottom of the depending portion .13 within the groove,

making awaterseal Jwhich act similarly vto a tra-p, preventingair from passing by.

It is torbe understood, ofcourse, that this water seal provides an additional means to secure an air tight seal,-'the Yvalve 8 on the :seats 11 serving as the irst line in procuring Hthis result, and the water seal supplementing the metallicseating of the parts to complete thev operation fofpblocking all ingress ot' air to the heating system.

Countless numbers of the plain radiatorY valves 1 .are in operation, causing greatloss to the user by reason of the heat unitsv wasted. My adapter and vacuum valve unit equipment, Awould Vmake of each of these valves anl efficient A radiator device.

V Having thus described my invention, what' I cla-iin is: j

1. An adapter tor a 'radiator airrvalve, comprising a cylindrical body `member vadapted to inclose the outer casing of said' radiator air'valve, a iianged disc fixed in said bodyk member 4and having an aperture therein, upstanding projections concentrically and continuously arranged onthe 1113-'V per side of said disc, said projections forining anannular space therebetween, a second disc adapted to lie loosely on said projections, kand a cylindrical portion extending downwardly romsaid second named disc into said annular space, the bottomof said cylindricalportion being always in spaced relation to the bottom of said annular space.

2. AnY adapter for a radiator air valve, comprising Y a cylindrical body member adapted to inclose the upper` portion of said Y rand inaddition, comprising a cover adapted to inclose the upper end of said cylindrical body member and having, therein, an aperture. f

' HiinoLnv BEARDQ 

